When it comes to home renovating, the laundry isn’t the first room that comes to mind for a major overhaul. As the saying goes, bathrooms and kitchens sell houses, rarely laundries.
However, the laundry is a space that has received its own makeover of sorts. The popularity of my post from last year about laundry trends for 2018 has prompted for a new post to share what’s new in laundry trends for 2019.
If you’re building or renovating, you will want to know these laundry trends for 2019. Most are a culmination of trends we’ve seen introduced in the kitchen and bathroom in previous years. But there is also the addition of function with storage systems and ecofriendly appliances.
Laundry Trends for 2019
European or Mud Room
Laundries are going both smaller and bigger. The difference in space requirements depends on the size of the property.
European Laundries
For units and smaller dwellings, the European style laundry, where all appliances, the laundry sink and bench are concealed in a cupboard. It’s fast becoming a popular choice. This laundry design is perfect for saving space within a small property. It’s also a kinder alternative to the downstairs garage or communal laundry. It allows for everything to be installed in a row, within a cupboard space.
Mud Room Laundries
For family homes and larger properties, the laundry will be combined with a mudroom, making it just as big as the main bathroom, if not bigger.
Mud rooms are a space typically dedicated to the storage of items brought in and out of the house. In America and Europe, the mudroom is at the front of the house, but in Australia, the trend is becoming more prevalent to combine the laundry and mudroom together.
There are pros and cons for both. Extra storage in any room is a bonus. Like the butler’s pantry to a kitchen, the mudroom can be a lifesaver for keeping the laundry neat and organised. It can also act as a dumping ground for junk that can be concealed, out of sight.
Energy Efficient Appliances and Multifunctional Appliances
The two main appliances in the laundry are the washing machine and dryer. They get a good work out each day, so choosing energy efficient models will be better for your utility bills.
Washer and dryer combo appliances are great for space saving, however not so great for multitasking. Having two appliances – one dedicated to washing and the other for drying ensures one load of washing can be washed, while another can be dried simultaneously. Again, choose the appliances that work for your space and lifestyle.
Recycling of Grey Water
There is an interest in the reuse of grey water caught from the washing machine, to be reused for irrigation. It makes sense to re-use water that has already been paid for, however there are local laws which differ state to state, determining how this grey water can be used and re-directed.
The two typical ways for grey water to be reused is through the use of a diverter or a treatment system. The greywater system you use must also be approved for use by your local council, even if it is approved for installation within Australia. Using an unapproved fitting or treatment system can result in hefty fines.
In Brisbane, approval is required from the Brisbane City Council to install a grey water treatment system or diverter.
It’s easier to install a treatment system during a new build, as opposed to retro-fitting into an existing laundry where concrete saw cutting and pipe connections will need to be done for the install.
Choice have worked out you’re unlikely to recoup the cost of a greywater treatment system, with the cost of mains water being so low. But if we ever have another drought (which is highly likely), having this treatment system may be worthwhile during water restrictions. Ensure if you are directing grey water to your gardens, that the detergent you use is eco-friendly and grey water safe.
Style
The laundry will generally have similar material choices to the kitchen, but it’s not uncommon for the laundry and bathroom to match as well. The laundry can become a damp and humid space, so using similar materials from the bathroom will be a wise choice for longevity.
Some notes on style choices within the laundry
- Splashbacks will have feature tiles, including 3D tile designs to make a visual impact in the room.
- Natural materials like stone benchtops will also feature.
- There will be plenty of overhead space for shelves and cupboards – but ensure there is enough gap for a basket of clothes to sit on the bench top.
- Sinks and gooseneck sink mixers will be popular fixtures in the laundry. Sink covers will give extra bench space.
- A drying cupboard and hanging line will add convenience to the laundry for drying clothes.
- A pet washing bath can be a welcome addition if the space allows.
- An island bench is a new designer feature that will add extra bench space and fill a void in large room.
- Black, white and timber will still be commonly sought to match in with the existing colour scape of the home. Most kitchens are black and white, so the laundry will typically follow this colour scheme.
- Accessories will be in the form of baskets, canisters and the humble house plant to add ‘greenery’ to the space.
The laundry has come a long way from being a space designed with very little style in mind. While always known for its functionality, over the last decade, we’ve seen the laundry transform into a stylish space worth investing. Clever design and added functional elements will be what makes a trending laundry in 2019 stand out.
If you enjoyed this post, you may like to read the predicted trends in Bathrooms for 2019.
